Sheriff: Charges will be filed in balloon saga

(AP) - The sheriff who said he believed acouple was being honest when they reported their son was set adrifton a homemade helium balloon now says criminal charges will befiled in the incident.

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden didn't say Saturday nightwhat the charges would be, but he did say the parents, Richard andMayumi Heene, aren't under arrest.

The Heenes spent much of the afternoon at the sheriff's officeand were headed home where they were expected to speak toreporters.

Richard Heene has insisted that the drama that unfolded Thursdaywasn't a publicity stunt. He and his wife reported that their6-year-old son, Falcon, had been inside the flying-saucer shapedballoon when it launched from their backyard.

Actually, Falcon had been hiding in the rafters of his family'sgarage.